1 Answer from Attorneys

You should go to your local District Justice (small claims court) and file a civil action against the owner. If you get a judgment against the customer, you can have the sheriff put the vehicle up for auction and get paid that way. If they leave the car with you for too long, you can get the car declated abandoned, and have the title switched to your name. This would still require you to go court. Under no circumstances should you turn the car over to the owner unless you have been paid in full. Depending on the amount to you and the value of the car, you should hire a lawyer who should be willing to do this for you for a relatively small amont of money.